Young event rider awakes from coma after Mattingley fall

Seventeen-year-old Chloe Briffa has awoken from a coma and is making “steady progress” after falling from her horse at Mattingley Horse Trials (31 July).

Chloe, from Horsham, West Sussex, was put into a medically induced coma to allow swelling on her brain to subside after falling from her horse 10 days ago. She awoke earlier today (Monday, 9 August).

The rider suffered a brain injury after falling from her horse Paddington Bear IX in the warm-up ring for the showjumping phase of the BE80T competition.

Paddington Bear IX, stumbled over the practise jump and Chloe fell over his right shoulder, landing on her head.

Chloe is currently in at Southampton General Hospital but her father, Mark Briffa, hopes she will be moved to Haywards Heath next week.

Mr Briffa added: “She is no longer critical and doctors are pleased with her steady progress.”

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